Bali Trees: Between Harmony and Living Spirit

Trees in Kuta and Ubud

Bali is famous as the island of gods. For kids it's just a scary island with so many, scary-look statues, mask and dancers. Beside those cultural objects, Bali has beautiful tress and vegetations. No wonder because they believe trees has spirits, so they keep maintain those trees as god.

People of Bali lives with trees in good harmony. They use trees and flowers along their pray. Respect the nature is an important part of their culture. For instance, Earth Hour is held since 2007 by Australian WWF. In Bali, they held Earth Hour every year since a long time ago, not only lamps but whole electricity. Not only an hour but whole day and night.

Sketching On Board

Sleepy People On Board

I went to Bali to visit my fellow Dutch comic artist Peter van Dongen. I took night flying for low cost airlines. Along the flight, most passengers were sleeping, but I can't. The weather were nice not so bumpy so I made some sketches. Yes.. as most sketchers does, sleepy people are the best object to draw because they're stand still as models.

How about if we get bumpy cloud? Just prepare that you will get an abstract drawing with expressive outlines

Jogja, Beauty Of Aesthetics And Culture

An old building in the street of Jogja

In early April I went to Jogja for an music event called VOTE (Voice from The East). As always I walked around near by my hotel to enjoy local surroundings. One of the most attract my attention is an old building near by Tugu Jogja. I am not quiet sure about its history background but I can recognize from its architect style: art deco.

Jogja has a lot of art deco combined with Javanese culture style. This must be one of fav world tourism attractions in Indonesia. Most local government doesn't feel that way. They just love fast money, no wonder that mostly of sight seeing in Jogja also distract with mural advertising that make tourism disturb as visual chaotic. Brand and promotion campaign looks like had a powerful bargain to pick their best spot to campaign their products in the city without any concern on visual aesthetics.

#Jogja